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Other challenges identified in the report, due to be discussed by the council's overview and scrutiny committee on June 5, include fewer properties available to rent; the lack of affordable housing in Guildford; and rising levels of personal debt.

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It states: "Given significant changes introduced by the [Homelessness Reduction Act 2017], the ongoing shortage of affordable housing and continuing pressure of welfare reform, we expect homelessness and the risk of homelessness to increase.

"Welfare reform presents major risks, both to our customers who will be under financial pressure and will find it harder to access housing, and to the council due to increased demand for social housing and housing advice.

"There is also a risk that homelessness applications will increase as we will have wider duties to prevent and relieve homelessness for growing numbers of households without the corresponding accommodation being available."